Pig's Eye, Buddha's Eye

In 1392, Yi Seonggye established the Korean Joseon Dynasty and was crowned King Taejo. He chose as national teacher Zen Master Mu Hak ("Dancing Crane"). 

As national teacher, Mu Hak was an intimate of the royal court. Among other things, he was charged with locating a new capital city. He first selected the valley below the modern Zen temple, Mu Sang Sah, an auspicious location but one lacking sufficient water. He then chose a location on the Han River now known as Seoul.

The Joseon Dynasty reinvigorated Korea's Confucian culture and the royal court was an extremely formal place. But one day King Taejo grew weary of this formality. He longed for the joy of simple human contact, with its openness and rude humor. 

So he called together his closest companions, including Mu Hak, and announced that on this day they would abandon all formality and careful language. Instead, they would relate to one another as ordinary friends.

The group immediately loosened up and started to enjoy themselves. Some good food and soju helped matters along. Late in the day, the king announced that he wanted everyone to play a game.

In this game, they would go around the circle and launch the greatest imaginable insults upon one another. Soon the insults were flying, everyone being careful not to get too personal with the king.

Finally the king turned to Mu Hak and said, "Old Zen master . . . with your smooth head, pink flesh, and bulging eyes . . . you look like a pig!" Everyone laughed loudly.

Then Mu Hak stood up and performed one the most formal of prostrations in front of the king.

The king erupted in anger. 

"Mu Hak, why do you disobey me? I ordered everyone to offer insults. Instead, when I called you a pig, you only bowed down before me as if I were a Buddha. Are you crazy?"

Zen Master Mu Hak then addressed King Taejo:  "Pig's eye sees pig. Buddha's eye sees Buddha."

  

Thanks to Zen Master Dae Bong for refreshing my memory of this story. It's dedicated to my Twitter friend, Thalgyur, who has a sharp pig's eye.

Comments

[twitter.com/thalgyur]

Really nice story!!!

And thanks for the kind dedication.

You should have said "dumb pig's eye".

Thank you! In Dharma

Thalgyur

[Barry Briggs]

Thank you, Thalgyur, for creating the opportunity to share this story!

[Genju]

makes "in a pig's eye" a whole new koan!